Cusco to Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Tour 4D/3N

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4D/3N

4.500 msnm

Challenging

Group

Description

Tucked under the tawny skirts of formidable foothills about 15kms/9.3 miles north of Cusco as the condor flies,
via a narrow road and hairpin turns, the Sacred Valley holds its head high. The valley has long been the home
of attractive colonial towns, isolated weaving villages, handicraft markets and lofty 10th and 11th century
Inca Citadels of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Urubamba.

Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Tour Package – Summary

This 4-day tour package incorporates the best of Cusco and its surroundings. You will explore ancient Inca ruins, wander through colorful markets, be amazed by stunning Andean landscapes, and visit Peru's two principal wonders, Machu Picchu and the stunning Rainbow Mountain. There is a perfect blend of history, culture, and adventure made for travelers wishing to see the highlights of Peru in a short time.

Day 1: Welcome to Cusco – City Tour

Arrive in the Imperial City of Cusco, where Inca and colonial heritage mix perfectly. After some time for acclimation, step out for a guided city tour, visiting the impressive Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, and other Inca sites.

Day 2: Sacred Valley – Pisac, Moray, Maras & Ollantaytambo

Travel through the beautiful Sacred Valley, visiting colorful markets, ancient terraces, and the unique salt mines. You will see the unique circular terraces of Moray in addition to exploring Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns. After the tour, we will hop on an evening train to Aguas Calientes.

Day 3: Machu Picchu – The Inca's lost city

Begin your day early to visit the famous Machu Picchu. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, you will learn of the enigmatic Inca citadel that is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your day will conclude by taking a train back to Cusco with your private transport.

Day 4: Rainbow Mountain day trip

End your trip with a special day trek to the spectacular Rainbow Mountain! Surrounded by llamas, alpacas, and the powerful Ausangate Glacier behind you, you will not be disappointed with the spectacular views of the colourful striped peaks in what will be one of your highlights of Peru!

Cusco to Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain Tour Package.

DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR.

Upon your arrival to Cusco, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. There you will receive a short briefing and have the remainder of the morning to acclimatize. In the afternoon, we will introduce you to the Imperial City of Cusco, a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. Continuing your journey, you will visit the Santo Domingo Convent built over the Koricancha, as well as the ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. Our tour continues to the unmatched and mesmerizing archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and its military Inca architecture, which dominates the city.
Finally, we explore the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, located in the north east of
the city. We will head back to your hotel in Cusco by early evening.

Accommodation: Best Western Hotel or Mataq Wasin Hotel 3*.

DAY 2: CUSCO – PISAC – MORAY – SALT MINE – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES.

Bright and early, we pick you up at 7am at your hotel in Cusco or Sacred Valley, navigating through the hairpin

bends, with each motion in change of direction, stirring the excitement within. On the way, we stop at the classic

view site of the Urubamba valley, with crops dressing the mountains like carpet. Parking up at the colourful

market of Pisac, we enjoy free time to interact with the local artisans or to purchase their hand-made souvenirs.

Onto the archeological site of Pisac, perched in the safety of its mountain nest, we enjoy the great and

unique ancient tombs, terraces, watchtowers and religious areas. After time at this Inca Fortress, we will continue

to the village of Urubamba for lunch.

With its timeless charm, we visit the archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouses of the

Incas,” an evolutionary bowl of ecological difference. Levels of terraces are carved into a huge bowl, part of which

was further excavated by the Incas for their crops. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep

into the bowl they are, thus it is believed that they have been used by the Incas to discover the optimal conditions

for their different crops.

We expand our journey to the colonial town of Maras, ascending our hike downhill to the pre-Inca salt

mine. Thousands of saltpans have been used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of

the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into saltpans and evaporated to

produce a salt that is used for human and animal consumption. Finally, we drive to Ollantaytambo, where we have

time to explore the age old and bustling Inca village. Then at 7pm, we will take the train to Aguas Calienteswhere

we will spend the night in a hotel.

Accommodation: Wiracocha Inn Hotel or Andean Terra Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 3: AGUAS CALIENTES - MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO.

Bursting out with excitement on your final surreal day, we take the bus to Machu Picchu archeological site.

With our 2 hour tour we make sure to explore every nook and cranny of this New 7 Wonder of the World and

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel. What an unforgettable experience. Your

guide will expertly direct you through the energetic ruins and its diverse main streets. Then on your own, you can

wander around the town squares of the world’s spiritual center of esoteric wisdom, as well as climb the intricately

carved stairways made of stone.

If you wish to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own, you can: (not included in the price)

Climb Huayna Picchu – appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there. (additional fee).
Climb Machu Picchu Mountain – appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there (additional fee).
You will be given some time to walk to the Sun Gate or Inti Punku. ( No additional fee)
Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or to the hot springs.(entrance fee).

Train to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes, eat a leisurely lunch and at 4:22pm board the Expedition train

for the return trip to Cusco. Upon reaching Ollantaytambo train station, you will transfer to a private van for your

return to Cusco, arriving at your hotel at 8pm.

Accommodation: Best Western Hotel or Mataq Wasin Hotel 3*.
Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 4: CUSCO – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – CUSCO.

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4am, and begin with our amazing Rainbow Mountain Trek Adventure.

We set out on our drive through the South Valley; ending up at the trailhead at CUSIPATA, (4,326 m / 14,189 ft) is

3 hours. Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, valleys and rocky mountains.

Once we reach the train-head, we start on our hike following a lovely stream. The herds of alpacas and llamas all around you will immediately surprise you. Continually you will have views of the Ausangate Mountain as we hike through different villages and interact with the local people, who are still keeping the culture alive, After a total hike of 3 to 3.5 hours, we finally reach our destination….the Rainbow Mountains (5,020m/16,466ft). After being awed by their beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the environment. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. At this point, we hike back down the way we came. The hike takes 2-3 hours. Our private van will be waiting for us when we return. We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel, arriving around 6:30 pm.